The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-14
Sir Andrew Clark Outlines Plan Which
Looks Feasible and Is Strongly Commend
ed by Its Comparative Cheapness.
Changes Undergraduates Would Like
to See Made in Banking Laws.
Another Gorgeous Reception at the White
House-Mrs. Emmons's Matrimonial Vent
ures in Early Life Washington Notes.
COAST DEFENSEs.

An Eminent Authority Evolves Plan
Which Is Comparatively inexpensive.
New YORK, Jan. 13.-A London (Eng.) special
to the Tribune says: "Tne Times of Monday
published article on the reports of the United
States Board Of Fortfcatons, in which, while
commencing the thoroughness of the investiea-
tions, the writer disapproves the recommends
tions of the board on the ground of the cost of
the proposed Notifications. Over twenty-seven
million pounds sterling is out of all proper pros
portion to the defensive requirements of the
United States says the writer For one-ffth
of the sum England could raise her coast de-
fenses the world over to a standard of efficiency
which would probably satisfy the most exacting
theorists Your correspondent showed the
ticle to Sir Andrew Clark, formerly Inspector
general Of Fortifcations, and one of the highest
authorities on coast defenses in England. i
entirely agree with the writer, whom I think
recognize said Sir Andrew. Such costly forti-
fcations belong to the old school, / would do
away with them altogether. It is an open secret
that Italy regrets having expended much
money on Notifications Germany is simply
waiting to see what England does
"'But would not the proposed forti6cations
render the ports so defended practically secure
against any attack at seaP asked the cor
respondent
:. Probably; but by a different System they
could be defended much more efficiently, and at
infinitely less expense. My plan does away with
all Notifications. Instead of alleged invulnera-
bility, my principle is invisability Of defenses
When you erect enormous Notifications you offer
a target for the enemy's shot Let your turrets
and cupola be never so thick, heavy shot is like
ly to play the mischief with their mechanism.
With your distinguished countryman, Lieuteu-
ant Maxim, I have worked out what call q. dis
appearing gun system which can be applied to
the heaviest guns made. This renders fortifca-
tions unnecessary. The gun occupies hole in
the ground. When in action it is released by a
sort of hydraulic elevator, and after firing sinks
into the pit again, to be reloaded Thus it is ex
posed for only few seconds When in the nj.
it can only be hit by vertical or plunging FIRE.
and tho likelihood of such shots striking their
| mark is infinitely small. Covered ways shelf er
the men who load the gun, SO that the enemy
has practically nothing to aim at. A gun oper-
| ated in this fashion commands much wider
area than when mounted in a fort By means
of electricity the gun can be raised, lowered,
trained and discharged by one man in position
of safety, a hundred yards even a mile away
This has been actually accomplished. We nre
at work on plan whereby machinery for load
ing the gun can also be operated by electricity.
If this is successful the gun can be wholly
worked from safe distance. When you can
dispense with fortifcations you have more
money for heavy guns submarine mines and
| torpedoes. Heretofore have vehemently urged
the colony of Victoria, Australia to build no
| more forts. believe such costly defenses will
soon be regarded obsolete indefensive war
fare. The United States derives great advan-
taees from her distance from Europe, because
the difficulty of using first class iron-clads SO far
| from their basis is very great"